Hello Spark world! My name is Sara and I am here to lose weight and to change my eating habits. I have no problem with exercise, I have issues with nutrition.

I can remember being put on a diet at age 12, and my Mom encouraging me to start walking. I've done some type of exercising for the majority of the time since then. Oh, I've had periods where I would be lazy, but I would always start back because I would feel so lousy when I wasn't exercising.

Eating is ...

Hello Spark world! My name is Sara and I am here to lose weight and to change my eating habits. I have no problem with exercise, I have issues with nutrition.

I can remember being put on a diet at age 12, and my Mom encouraging me to start walking. I've done some type of exercising for the majority of the time since then. Oh, I've had periods where I would be lazy, but I would always start back because I would feel so lousy when I wasn't exercising.

Eating is another issue I'm sorry to say. I am a member of the clean plate club, not because my parent's made me or anything, but my Dad always cleaned his plate and any bowl that had anything left and I am just like him. I have made lots of changes about what I eat, but I still eat way to much.

Like a lot of people, I have lost weight before and have gained it back, however, (and I use this as motivation) I haven't ever gained the full amount I have lost back. In 2008 I lost 60 pounds and I have only gained 30 of that back. Yes, it is a gain but at least I didn't gain back all plus more. I have been on a 4, almost 5 year plateau. During that time I went through some of the lowest, darkest days of my life. I lost the most precious wonderful little boy and I don't know if I will ever be whole again. I'm seeing rays of sunshine again and I am ready to start moving forward, or more forward. I have made many strides. I thank God for his unfailing love for me and a faith that has only become stronger through this loss. So, you can see why I count that gain as a victory, because it could have been so much more.

So this year I will work to make more postiive strides in my life and to get closer to my health goals. I'm not really going to write anything specific, because I don't know what my goal will be. I am just going to go by how I feel, and when I get there I will know.

I realized that I had almost lost 5% of my starting weight today. Literally am ounces away! I am feeling so accomplished! So I decided to use that as my goal. 5% losses, very doable and I hopefully can regularly meet those goals. Small, specific and attainable! =====================================================

Ultimately 4/19/13 goal: 185 ***********2nd 5% weight loss. This will be a little less than 185 and almost 10# down from 1st. (and a total of 20 pounds down!)*************** 4/20/13: Warrior Dash-completed with a time of 2 hours and 30 or so minutes. So much fun! Setting goals now for next years event!

***********Major set back as I have not done well eating and exercising since mom's surgery. DO NOT want to weigh-in but will do it anyway. Disappointed in myself but getting back on track.************

4/26- 5/3- 5/10- 5/17- 5/24- 5/31-196.8 ******************************************************************************** Update 6/3- Have to face facts that I am not going to make my goal I set for myself at the beginning of the SIA challenge :(. Really disappointed in myself right now. I've been reading the posts of my previous success and am just sick I've let myself gain almost all I lost back! I could kick myself! Only thing to do now is get back to it. It is hard but I am worth it! ********************************************************************************

6/7- 6/14- (End of Springing to Action Challenge) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Even in the face of my own disappointment, I have yet to focus on my goals and make any progress. Set myself new goals that coincide with the beginning of the fall trimester. YOU GOT THIS!!!!

The eve of a new year, new goals and a new attitude! My progress has be nil, unfortunately I have regressed instead of progressed. No excuses, I knowingly put every bite of food in my mouth showing not one bit of restraint :(. Starting all over again, so thankful I can :). This is a journey and must be taken day to day or even hour by hour or minute by minute if needed. Going to try the 5% weight loss goals again to see if that is motivation enough, if not I will regroup and come up with a new strategy!

Starting Weight 12/31/13= 214.2 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/4/14= 1/11= 1/18= 1/25= 2/1= 2/8= ************First 5% goal=203.5 2/15= 2/22= 3/1= 3/8= 3/15= *************2nd 5% goal=193.3 3/22= 3/29= 4/5= 4/12= 4/19= *************3rd 5% goal=183.6 4/26= (vacation to Destin 4/23-4/27) 5/3= 5/10= 5/17= 5/24= **************4th 5% goal=174.4 5/31= 6/1- My birthday!!! Lets see how many pounds/inches down I can be! ******************************************************************************* Update:12/22/14 No closer to my goals now then I was at the beginning of the year and have pretty much been shoveling in the food instead of making good choices. Made a goal with a classmate earlier in year but neither she nor I are any closer to out goal. I graduate in a little more than 3 months in April. I know I can't reach my overall long-term goal in that amount of time but I can be well on my way to reaching my goals. I really don't have a specific weight or size in mind, just smaller, more toned. I think I will know where I want to be when I get there. Not even sure where I need to start, I just know that I need to start and need to start now not the beginning of January like I am always telling myself. It's the small things like getting back to drinking my water, logging in my food that I need to start again.

I am married and live in Tennessee. My husband and I lost our 6 year old son in 2010 and it has been a hard road since then but we are making it. I give thanks for my God, my family and my friends for without them I would not be where I am today. I am also thankful for exercise! It has helped me through many a tough spot as well! I love the way I feel after a good sweat session.

Get to know me and I will most likely talk your ear off!

Other Information:
I love to read, watch movies, go hiking with my hubby. Spend time with my family. I try to enjoy life, I only have one and I want it to be the best I can make it!